Chemical Engineering

Master of Science

Candidates for a master's degree in chemical engineering must complete three required core courses in chemical engineering, four elective courses, and a graduate thesis. The program requires an average of 24 months of full-time study.

The core courses are offered in engineering mathematics, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, and transport theory. Topics offered as chemical engineering electives include polymer science, bioprocess engineering, advanced materials science and engineering, particle technology, fuel cell technology and independent study projects. In addition, graduate-level courses offered by other departments may be taken as electives with the approval of the chemical engineering department.

Master's Thesis

A written master's thesis is an integral part of Bucknell chemical engineering master's program and a primary contribution to the education of the candidate. The thesis must describe work on an experimental or educational research, mathematical and/or computational modeling, or design or other problem involving original scientific inquiry. Selection of a thesis advisor will be conducted prior to the start of the candidate's graduate program.

Thesis Projects and Facilities

The department maintains state-of-the-art laboratory and computing facilities, enabling master's degree candidates to pursue a variety of research/thesis activities. Graduate students are encouraged to present their work at professional meetings at both the regional and national levels, and serve as coauthors for journal and other peer-reviewed publications. Some recent thesis titles are:

Assessing the Validity of Brain Glucose Concentration Measurement Using Microdialysis

The Investigation of Uniform, Monodisperse Crystalline Particles via the Evaporation of Small Droplets

Development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes with High Conductivity and Enhanced Redox Stability

610. Project Engineering (II; 3, 3) Second of two Capstone experiences for chemical engineering majors. Students refine a general problem statement in order to plan, execute, and assess a project that achieves specified goals. Design, construction, and testing of an apparatus, system, or simulation. Problem-solving, teamwork, communication, professional development, and laboratory work are emphasized. With design laboratory. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

630. 631. Chemical Engineering Project (I or II; R; 1, 5) Half course. Individual work with a faculty adviser on a development or design project beginning with a written plan and culminating with a deliverable product and a written report. Problem analysis involving information synthesis, experimentation, mathematical modeling, or software development. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

640. 641. Chemical Engineering Research (I and II; R; 1, 10) Independent study with a faculty adviser on a research project. Submit a project proposal for group review, conduct the work, and culminate with a written and an oral presentation before a faculty group. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

653. Product and Process Chemistry (II; 4, 0) Examination of the internal structure of the chemical industry. The roles of key chemicals and intermediates in modern chemical synthesis will be emphasized to provide an overview of current industrial product methods. Product and process history, design and improvement will be covered through discussions, simulations and case studies. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

655. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (I or II; 4, 0) Addresses the relationships of chemistry, physics, and engineering principles in understanding processes in the Earth's atmosphere. Topics include overview of the Earth's atmospheric history and problems of current environmental concerns including urban ozone, acid rain, particulate pollution, and global change. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

657. Applied Colloid, Surface, and Nanoscience (I; 4, 0) Exploration of the ways in which surfaces are different from bulk substances, and how this impacts processes such as illness, chemical processing, contaminant transport, and enzymatic activity. The topics discussed will be shaped by student interest. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

660. Biomaterials: Materials in Medicine (I or II; 4, 0) Classes of biomaterials, their applications, and current trends in biomaterials research and technology. Medical/ethical implications of biomaterials development and research. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

685. Topics in Transport Theory (I or II; 4, 0) Mass, energy, and momentum transfer in continuous media. General equations of transfer developed and used to analyze real systems. Development and application of mathematical techniques appropriate to the topic. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

687 and 688. Advanced Study in Chemical Engineering (I and II; R; 4, 0) Courses in chemical engineering theory designed to meet the needs of graduate students in residence.

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